Reebok Floatride Energy Symmetros

So first run in, these things are great. This is just about the perfect daily workhorse, easy day, steady day, recovery day, and even uptempo day sort of shoe. This thing rocks. I just need to get the weirdness in sizing between the two pairs and if it is half size down or not sorted out.

The left shoe that feels a half size longer than the other actually feels like I could use a bit more length, so I might advise true to size actually. I will confirm this when the pair of TTS and half size down that is hopefully not uneven between the two come in. I think that you can get a really good lockdown with this upper even if it were roomy.

It's super hot/humid where I live right now and I am much more of a cold-weather winter runner, but these shoes did breath super well.

The midsole is nicely balanced and bouncy. More cushioned than the FFE and softer and more forgiving. Not at all slow or mushy or sluggish though. You notice the extra cushioning under the forefoot the most. Something like the FFE never really feels low on heel cushion but can start to under the forefoot over distance. This feels more protective there and at the heel. Doesn't feel heavier. The heel has a nice smooth bevel. The heel cup design is super comfortable and sparse overall but with cushion right where you need it like the next%. The forefoot feels a bit wider than the FFE but overall similar shape and lacing. The upper is lighter and more breathable for sure.

Mine came today. Definitely true to size for me, so 9.5.

Trying them on the seem a little narrower at midfoot the FFE 2. The upper feels very smooth, soft and comfortable on the inside. Definitely more cushioned and feels softer than FFE 2.

Will give them a test run this evening.

jvarunner wrote:

Mine came today. Definitely true to size for me, so 9.5.

Trying them on the seem a little narrower at midfoot the FFE 2. The upper feels very smooth, soft and comfortable on the inside. Definitely more cushioned and feels softer than FFE 2.

Will give them a test run this evening.

I would agree with that based on the bigger of the two shoes I had in 9.0 still feeling a bit too short once running. I'm really loving these though. I am excited for my 9.5s to arrive. This is a daily trainer that really checks all the boxes at a light weight.

There's a promo code that works for U.S.?

Oh crap. I guess alot of the floatride shoes are excluded from promo codes. Only the Panthea and the 1st version of the FFE can be bought at discount.

If you are a student, teacher, military, 1st responder, government, medical or hospital worker you can get anything 50% off, no exclusions. That is how I get all my reebok shoes so cheap.

Hi,

I am wondering how these Reebok's compare with last years model - Reebok HR3 , initially I enjoyed them but after a few longer runs it came apparant that they lacked forefoot cushion, the heft at the back of the shoe slowed downed how they transitioned. Also my toes started to feel a little sore. Do they feel more cushioned at the front, transition a lot smoother. Also I love how the Asics Novablst feel, lots of cushion and transition smooth and fast and can get good pace in them. Are these similar cushioned (good shock absorption), smooth in transition and get good paces in them. How do they compare with the Saucony Speed (of course a lot more expensive). Thanks.

Steve

stevenn wrote:

Hi,

I am wondering how these Reebok's compare with last years model - Reebok HR3 , initially I enjoyed them but after a few longer runs it came apparant that they lacked forefoot cushion, the heft at the back of the shoe slowed downed how they transitioned. Also my toes started to feel a little sore. Do they feel more cushioned at the front, transition a lot smoother. Also I love how the Asics Novablst feel, lots of cushion and transition smooth and fast and can get good pace in them. Are these similar cushioned (good shock absorption), smooth in transition and get good paces in them. How do they compare with the Saucony Speed (of course a lot more expensive). Thanks.

Steve

Hi Steve.

These shoes are exceptionally good and by far the best daily trainers on the market in my opinion. I have tried to find the right daily trainers for a long time, and this one finally hits all the marks. These shoes are much better than the Harmony Roads. The upper is lighter, more breathable, and fits way better. All the issues with the heel EVA and heel transition are gone. The shoe is also lighter. That said, I don't know that you will find this any more cushioned in the forefoot. I think it is about the same in the forefoot. All the heel issues are resolved now though.

I think this shoe is far better than the Novablast. It is far more stable and has a way smoother and less clunky heel design and transition. It is also almost and ounce lighter as well. The upper is also excellent in comparison to the Novablast.

In terms of how much bouncy TPU cushion and good outsole coverage there is at the light weight of this shoe, it outclasses every other daily trainer. The upper comfortability and lockdown is also excellent for how light and breathable it is. No issues with an overly plush upper on the daily trainer here. We can expect great durability as well with a full TPU outsole and all that rubber coverage. They also manage to give you all that rubber coverage without it feeling at all bottom heavy or having too firm of a ground contact feel. It really hits all the marks.

This will be my workhorse trainer. Easy runs, long runs, recovery runs, steady runs etc are no-brainers. But you can also easily pick up the pace on these runs in this shoe because of the bouncy midsole and that light weight.

Thanks - sounds like a home run to me, so a few more questions

So okay for recovery paces (6 mins km/9-10 min mile). The reebok HR 3 become even more blocky at slow paces.

I couldn't find the stack height anywhere, can you measure yours and let me know thanks :)

More cushion than peg 37? and how does it compare with saucony speed? - which is probably an unfair comparison. thanks

Steve

stephennic wrote:

Thanks - sounds like a home run to me, so a few more questions

So okay for recovery paces (6 mins km/9-10 min mile). The reebok HR 3 become even more blocky at slow paces.

I couldn't find the stack height anywhere, can you measure yours and let me know thanks :)

More cushion than peg 37? and how does it compare with saucony speed? - which is probably an unfair comparison. thanks

Steve

My easy/recovery paces are more like 7:15/mile, but this should be fine at those paces. It does not have the same issues with the heel at all and shouldn't regardless of pace. It is all Floatride Energy in the heel with a nice smooth bevel.

I don't have the stack height measuring tools, but I estimate the stack height is about 22mm/31mm or so.

I would say it is more cushioned than the Pegasus 37. It is smoother and doesn't have as much firm outsole feel. The midsole also feels much lighter and more flexible underfoot. No weirdness with an airbag either. I wasn't too fond of the Pegasus 37, Novablast, or Harmony Road though.

The Saucony Endorphin Speed is excellent, but this is much better at easier paces. The Endorphin Speed gives some extra firmness and rigidity from the plate without being too stiff such that it works pretty well at easy paces for a plated shoe, but it still is not as nice on easy days as a shoe without a plate firming and stiffening up the ride. This could easily be a great training combo with the Symmetros as your daily shoe and the Endorphin Speed as your long workout shoe.

Thanks, you have me interested :)

Cant try them at the moment as we in a second wave :( but when they come on sale might just order them.

Thanks.

Steve

Have 2 easy runs + strides with the Symmetros.

Very smooth and nicely cushioned. It is not a max cushion type of shoe as there is some responsiveness. This variation of the Floatride Energy foam seems softer than what is in the FFE 2 or it could be simply more foam (stack height) that makes it feel softer.

I see these as an recovery/easy run shoe for me. They are too soft for my tastes when it comes to faster stuff. The FFE 2 is a bit more versatile IMO. I prefer its firmer ride. Something like the GORun Forza (although I still wouldn't use it for fast stuff) is probably a faster shoe than the Symmetros.

Right now my rotation

Recovery/Easy

Floatride Energy Symmetros

GO Run Forza 3 - similar stack height to FES, much firmer

Easy (Everyday Trainer)

Forever Floatride Energy 1/2 - Bulk of my miles are run in FFE 1/2. I use them on fartlek runs and feel comfortable using them on moderately paced runs (6:15-6:25) on occasion.

Adidas Boston 7

Easy Long Runs

Floatride Run Panthea - my new favorite easy long run shoe. Just the right amount of cushion and responsiveness. More stable than the Pegasus Turbo 2.

FFE 1/2

Pegasus Turbo 2

Moderate

Floatride Run Fast 1/2

Zoom Fly Flyknit

Floatride Run Panthea

Adidas Adios 4

Tempo and Faster

Zoom Fly Flyknit -I prefer a plated shoe for workouts. ZFFK is firmer than SES.

Saucony Endorphin Speed - Has more bounce and energy return than ZFFK, significantly softer too.

Floatride Run Fast 2

NB FuelCell Rebel -

Marathon Paced WOs

Zoom Fly Flyknit

Saucony Endorphin Speed

How do you like the Floatride Run Fast 2? I had 2 pairs of the 1 but saw negative reviews and that it's significantly heavier so stayed away

I have the run fast 1 and the run fast 2. The 2.0 is heavier, but not "significantly" in my humble opinion. Given the choice, I'd choose the 1 ahead of the 2, but I'm happy with both, they both feel quick.

Tron wrote:

How do you like the Floatride Run Fast 2? I had 2 pairs of the 1 but saw negative reviews and that it's significantly heavier so stayed away

The Run Fast is a good shoe, but hasn't really been a shoe I use often. When it comes to MP WOs and faster (where the Run Fast would ideally be used) I prefer a shoe with a plate. They just work better for me. I have mixed in the Run Fast 1 and 2 in for an occasional WO and use them more often on moderately paced run and farleks.

I have used the Run Fast 2 for 500s+300s workout at mile pace and faster and they felt fast and good. The Run Fast 2 is heavier (but still light) , firmer and has more of a toe spring. I would take the Run Fast 2 over the RF1 at paces 10k and faster. But I have a preference for a firmer shoe at faster paces. The Run Fast 1 is more comfortable at moderate paces (like 6:30-6:00). Both are cushioned enough to do a long run if you prefer a lighter shoe. The RF 1 is a little more comfortable since it is a little softer.

I have a pair of RF1 that I purchased about 1 year ago and they have 200 miles on them. The RF2s I purchased a couple months ago and they have 75 miles on them.

Can you compare the width of SES to VF next%? I use the latter very sparingly with Adios 4s. I actually find the lower stack Adios 4s great for sessions on fields/trail and the upper actually stretches unlike Boston 8s which I've relegated for gym.

Years ago I had one of the early Triumphs and it tapered way too much in forefoot and ended up with blisters on outer toes. I've got to hand it to Nike as the forefoot on VF series is actually foot shape

Thanks, Maybe i'll give the 2nd version a chance. I used the Floatride run fast up to a marathon last year so obviously liked it.

It seems you use your FFE for a lot of your recovery/easy runs. That's what i did the last couple years as well. Then after my second FFE I tried the Panthea and although a good shoe i prefer the FFE. Now with the Symmetros in the mix for the daily runner, how would you rank these 3? (FFE 2, Panthea and Symmetros)

The Symmetros is softer and more cushioned than the FFE2 and Panthea. I find the FFE2 and Panthea very similar.

I think the Symmetros is the best for recovery/easy runs. It also works fine for picking up the pace on cutdowns or tempo or whatever since it is bouncy and a tad lighter than the FFE2 actually.

I think the best two shoe training rotation is the FRRF1 and Symmetros. FRRF1 for workouts and Symmetros for easy/recovery/ long runs.

The Panthea is probably the better long workout shoe and the FFE is probably a bit better as the one shoe rotation do it all trainer, but they are very close. I think either one would work well for someone who likes one lightweight trainer for all their training. The Symmetros fits that bill too for people that prefer something more forgiving since it is still very versatile.

Honestly, the Reebok lineup has a lot to offer overall now. They were missing a good well cushioned trainer, and now that spot is filled by the Symmetros. They could still use a max cushioned type of shoe, higher stack plated trainer and racer, less EVA rims on the floatride shoes, and no more caged uppers.

I have not tried the FRF2, but will skip it due to the gained ounce of weight. I stocked up on the FRF1 on discount.

The FRF Pro, FRF1, Panthea, FFE2, and Symmetros are all excellent. The RF London was a nice shoe too.

The FR 2.0 is a good midsole with an improved but still rough upper and too much outsole.

The Harmony Road 3/3.5 was not very good but is now covered by the Symmetros.

Right now the FFE 2 is definitely my favorite shoe of the 3. I consider it my everyday trainer/workhorse. I use it for easy runs during the week and for fartleks where I do 10 x 30 sec/45 sec/1 min pickups in the middle of an easy run.

I have been using the Panthea for easy long runs and for some shorter easy runs as well. It is a little softer than the FFE 2, has more responsiveness and it locks down the foot better. They are about the same weight, but the Panthea feels lighter on the foot for some reason.

I am still figuring out how to utilize the Panthea. It feels like it can go faster than the FFE 2 and maybe as fast as the Run Fast. I may try it on some faster runs (moderate, progression, LFRs). I only have 150 miles on the Panthea vs thousands of miles on a few FFE 1/2 shoes. So right now the Panthea ranks 2nd.

The Symmetros is ranked 3rd simply because it seems like it is less versatile shoe (for me). I like it strictly as a recovery run shoe (30-50 mins on Sun) and easy runs when I feel I need more cushion (60-70 mins). I only have 20 miles them right now, so my opinion could change. But since I prefer a firmer or plated shoe for faster stuff, I can't see myself using the Symmetros for anything more.

Here are some in depth discussions/reviews of the RF2 and Panthea. RF1 and FFE come up in discussion as well.

Panthea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wka_7V3uYKk&t=613s

RF2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDrYU-tj9Fk&t=1165s